We are excited to reveal the coaching trio tasked with leading our Elite Academy into 2025.
Danny Barton, who has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Club since his days as a ball boy, has been appointed Head Coach.
Alongside his work at the Foundation, Barton has played a pivotal coaching role within our Reserve grade and guided our Development Academy to last year’s Grand Final against Castleford Tigers.
Recently, as part of the RFL’s Coach Programme, Barton was one of four coaches who were awarded Level 4 status.
Joining his team is Sam Bardsley, who progressed through the ranks at Salford as a young player and trained with the first grade squad during our Grand Final season of 2019.
The second Assistant Coach is Neil Belshaw, who has previous coaching experience at both first-grade and academy level with Widnes Vikings, and teaches Sport at Eccles Sixth Form College.
On becoming Head Coach, Danny Barton said: “It is a great honour to coach the Elite Academy in an exciting new era for rugby league in Salford.
“I look forward to seeing the new players representing the Club and achieving their goals, as we continue to work together with the ultimate aim of making it the best environment for all involved.”
Assistant Coach, Sam Bardsley added: “It’s a full circle moment for me as I’ve been involved at Salford since I was 16 years old in the Scholarship system.
“Since then, I’ve been able to progress my playing career at a professional level, all whilst gaining valuable experience along the way, which has helped my coaching development massively – the most memorable being the 2019 Grand Final season.
“In these environments, I’ve been like a sponge, learning every day from elite level players and coaches. I’m aiming to pass on what I’ve learned throughout my experiences onto the next generation.
“I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to coach within the Elite Academy, and I am hopeful my experience playing the game, alongside my coaching experience over the last six years, will help mould these young players full of potential into smart athletes who can take the next step and hopefully achieve their end goal of playing in the Super League for Salford.”
Neil Belshaw, also Assistant Coach, has also said: “It’s a hugely exciting time to be joining Salford Red Devils, and I’m proud to be given this role as part of the academy coaching staff.
“I was waiting for the right opportunity to come along and the style of rugby that Salford play is a perfect match with my coaching philosophy and how I like to coach.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the other staff and helping the players develop and achieve their potential, this year and beyond.”
